Police uncover nearly 60 stolen identities in tax scam

Police say they have arrested a man before he could file dozens of fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal information.

Monday night Lexington Police arrested Jabari Cowart, of Vero Beach, Florida. They say a tip led them to the La Quinta Inn on Stanton Way where Cowart was staying.

Police say Cowart already had 19 separate names, social security numbers and dates of birth on him when he was arrested.

"We also were able to locate another suspect who had some more stolen identities and was coming to deliver those identities," said Sherelle Roberts, spokesperson for the Lexington Police Department.

Police aren't releasing the name of that woman yet but they say she has been charged. They say she had 40 more identities with her.

Police think these identities were going to be used to file false tax returns and they say the victims spread across the southern part of the country including Kentucky. They say they also found some marijuana on Cowhart. He's now charged with theft of identity, trafficking in stolen identities and possession of marijuana.

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